Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly
Associates of President Donald Trump are urging opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, but one of his partners, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, is blocking the path to resolving the political deadlock.
TEL AVIV — Senior Trump administration officials are urging Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as soon as possible, but the path to forming a new government is blocked by one of Eisenkot's own allies, an Israeli political source told Al-Monitor.
President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government on Nov. 8. The decision followed consultations with parliamentary factions, during which parties representing 67 of the Knesset's 120 members recommended Eisenkot and representatives of 46 backed Netanyahu. One seven-member faction declined to endorse either candidate. Eisenkot now has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.
Major complications
Although a majority of Knesset members recommended Eisenkot, major complications stand in the way of his efforts.
